- Strongest hints yet of biological activity outside the solar systemon April 17, 2025 at 12:40 am
Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious.
- Ever wonder why some meteor showers are so unpredictable?on April 16, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Why do comets and their meteoroid streams weave in and out of Earth's orbit and their orbits disperse over time? Researchers show that this is not due to the random pull of the planets, but rather the kick they receive from a moving Sun.
- Cosmic twist: The universe could be spinningon April 16, 2025 at 7:21 pm
A new study suggests the universe may rotate -- just extremely slowly. The finding could help solve one of astronomy's biggest puzzles.
- RoboBee comes in for a landingon April 16, 2025 at 7:19 pm
A recently created RoboBee is now outfitted with its most reliable landing gear to date, inspired by one of nature's most graceful landers: the crane fly. The team has given their flying robot a set of long, jointed legs that help ease its transition from air to ground. The robot has also received an updated controller that helps it decelerate on approach, resulting in a gentle plop-down.
- Sunscreen, clothes and caves may have helped Homo sapiens survive 41,000 years agoon April 16, 2025 at 7:19 pm
A study suggests that Homo sapiens may have benefited from the use of ochre and tailored clothing during a period of increased UV light 41,000 years ago, during the Laschamps excursion.
- 'Big surprise': Astronomers find planet in perpendicular orbit around pair of starson April 16, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Astronomers have found a planet that orbits at an angle of 90 degrees around a rare pair of peculiar stars. This is the first time we have strong evidence for one of these 'polar planets' orbiting a stellar pair.
- Crystal clues on Mars point to watery and possibly life-supporting paston April 16, 2025 at 7:19 pm
A new study analyzing data from NASA's Perseverance rover has uncovered compelling evidence of multiple mineral-forming events just beneath the Martian surface -- findings that bring scientists one step closer to answering the profound question: Did life ever exist on Mars?
- Is my green your green?on April 16, 2025 at 5:59 pm
'Do we see colors the same way?' is a fundamentally human question and one of great importance in research into the human mind. While impossible to answer at present, researchers take steps to answering it using a method that can map the experiences of colors between individuals, including those with colorblindness.
- Scientists find evidence that overturns theories of the origin of water on Earthon April 16, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Researchers have helped overturn the popular theory that water on Earth originated from asteroids bombarding its surface; Scientists have analyzed a meteorite analogous to the early Earth to understand the origin of hydrogen on our planet. The research team demonstrated that the material which built our planet was far richer in hydrogen than previously thought. The findings support the theory that the formation of habitable conditions on Earth did not rely on asteroids hitting the Earth.
- Secret to crocodylian longevityon April 16, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Researchers examined teeth and skulls of 99 extinct crocodylomorph species and 20 living crocodylian species to reconstruct their dietary ecology and identify characteristics that helped some groups persist through two mass extinctions. They discovered that one secret tocrocodylian longevity is their remarkably flexible lifestyles, both in what they eat and the habitat in which they get it.